Turkey condemns Iranian drone attacks on Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan
Turkey strongly condemned Iranian drone attacks on Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave and called for an end to strikes targeting third countries.
“We emphasize once again the need to stop attacks targeting third countries in the region and carrying the risk of spreading the war,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said the top diplomats of Turkey and Azerbaijan discussed the attacks in a phone call earlier on Thursday.
US Central Command said Iran’s ability to impact US forces and regional partners is “rapidly declining,” while American combat power in the region continues to build.
“The Iranian regime's ability to impact US forces and regional partners is rapidly declining, while American combat power continues to build,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.
Attacks struck sports venues, police stations and a waterpark in Tehran used by Iran’s security forces for self-protection, Iran International has learned.
An anti-narcotics police station, another police station in southeastern Tehran and the municipal building of Tehran’s District 18 were among the locations.
Others included Be’sat and Azadi stadiums, the Shahidan Esmaili and Eskandarlou sports complexes as well as Azadegan water park.
The European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Middle East crisis, while reiterating that countries in the Persian Gulf have the right to defend themselves against Iran.
“The ministers reiterated their commitment to regional stability and called for protection of civilians and full respect of international law,” the EU and GCC said in a joint statement after a videoconference of European and Gulf foreign ministers.
“The ministers reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as means to resolve the crisis,” the statement said, adding they agreed on “joint diplomatic efforts to bring about a lasting solution” to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and “ultimately allow the Iranian people to determine their future.”
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said Iran carried out a “terror act” against Azerbaijan by launching drones at the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and ordered the armed forces to prepare response measures.
Speaking at a Security Council meeting he chaired, Aliyev said Iranian drones targeted civilian sites including Nakhchivan International Airport, its terminal building and a school.
“A terror act has been committed against the territory of Azerbaijan and against the Azerbaijani state,” he said, adding that Iran must provide an explanation and apologize, and that those responsible must face criminal liability.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan would not take part in any operations against Iran and had previously assured Tehran that its territory would not be used against neighboring states. He added that Azerbaijan’s armed forces had been put on high alert and that diplomatic steps, including summoning Iran’s ambassador, were under way.
He also noted that earlier in the day Azerbaijan had helped evacuate Iranian embassy staff in Lebanon after a request from Tehran, and stressed that Baku would not participate in any operations against Iran.
Britain’s charity regulator issued fresh guidance on Thursday warning charities to exercise caution in their activities related to Iran as tensions in the region intensify, and said it would act on any evidence of links to extremism or terrorism.
The Charity Commission said charities could be affected in different ways by the “volatile situation” in Iran and the wider Middle East and urged trustees to carefully assess the risks of political activity, public statements and overseas operations.
The watchdog said organizations working in or commenting on Iran should be mindful that individuals and groups in the country are subject to sanctions and other restrictions under UK law.
“As a civil regulator we will respond robustly to evidence of links between charities and extremism or terrorism,” a Charity Commission statement said. “We will make referrals to other agencies where appropriate including where there is evidence of criminality.”
Trustees were reminded that any political activity must directly support a charity’s stated purpose and comply with regulations governing campaigning and social media use.
“In the current context, the Commission urges charities to be careful to ensure that any political activity they are involved in furthers their charity’s objects and complies with our guidance,” the regulator said.
The statement comes amid longstanding concerns in Britain that networks connected to Iran have used charities and religious organizations to promote political influence.
Several UK-based charities have faced investigations in recent years over alleged links to groups aligned with Tehran.
In 2024, the Charity Commission opened a compliance case involving the London-based Dar Alhekma Trust and the Abrar Islamic Foundation following a dossier alleging connections to organizations backed by Iran. Both groups deny wrongdoing.
Other organizations have drawn political criticism over activities seen by some lawmakers as promoting narratives aligned with the Islamic Republic. Conservative MP Bob Blackman last year accused Iran-linked groups of exploiting Britain’s charity sector to expand influence and “sow discord” in local communities.
Security officials and lawmakers have also warned that Tehran has used networks in Europe to extend ideological influence, even as regulators emphasize the need to balance scrutiny with protections for lawful religious and charitable activity.
